I read a quote this week from "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young, "Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me (God)." When I think about my anxious moments, that is exactly what I am doing. Of course, we picture the worst case scenario. I realize the absolute worse can happen and does, but it doesn't happen in a God-less vacuum.
There is no future where God does not already exist. I know this is mind blowing. If we could foreknow the future, it would be knowledge about what is going to happen. That is not so with God. He knows the future because He is already there! That is a characteristic of His eternal nature.
When I am all stressed out about the possible outcomes of my circumstances, it is because I am picturing in my mind a time when I will be unsafe. God has promised He will take care of us and meet all our needs. My response to His promise is to trust Him. Even when it "feels like" He is on vacation, He is not. God is always working out His best for my good. Many times that means I will go through a period of discomfort. Those uncomfortable times are a reminder of my fragility and His sufficiency.
Paul said in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (NASB) Last time I checked, nothing means "nothing!" There is not circumstance known to man where I have to be anxious. Anxiety has never changed the outcome of a future event. In some twisted way, we think not being anxious is a sign of apathy. I believe that is a lie straight from the enemy.
As I set my mind on truth, I realize how secure I really am. There is no detail, no matter how minor, that is over-looked by my heavenly Dad. He never said He would spare me or you from anxious circumstances. He does promise, though, He will never leave us or forsake us. (Deut. 31:6, Ps. 55:22) This doesn't mean He is watching us go through our circumstances, making sure we are safe. It means He is with us going through the circumstances, "with" us! That is intimate, up-close and personal.
We can't see the future, but we can know and believe that God is already there. We can trust Him completely. We can ignore our anxious thoughts, knowing they are not from us, but from the enemy. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, NASB) We can truly rest!
